logo
Can Colts' rookie RB DJ Giddens add a pass-catching presence out of backfield?

Can Colts' rookie RB DJ Giddens add a pass-catching presence out of backfield?

USA Today30-04-2025

Can Colts' rookie RB DJ Giddens add a pass-catching presence out of backfield? Can running back DJ Giddens give the Indianapolis Colts an added pass-catching presence out of the backfield?
Can running back DJ Giddens give the Indianapolis Colts an added pass-catching presence out of the backfield?
This is an element that the Colts didn't really have last season. Backup running backs Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson saw very few opportunities, in general, throughout the year. Jonathan Taylor, meanwhile, totaled just 136 receiving yards, which ranked 50th out of 58 eligible backs, and he was 37th in targets.
Having the running back position able to impact the passing game, to some degree, would provide defenses with another dimension to this Colts' offense that they would have to account for and could open up the playbook for Shane Steichen.
During Giddens' time at Kansas State, first and foremost, he was a ball carrier, but he does have experience in the passing game as well.
Over Giddens' final two seasons, he was targeted 72 times and totaled almost 600 receiving yards with four touchdowns. In 2024, Giddens' impressive 12.9 yards per catch ranked 11th among running backs, per PFF.
As we've seen in the running game, Giddens has an impressive ability to make defenders miss, and the passing game can amplify that ability if plays are designed to get him the ball in space.
"He's going to hit his ceiling in the passing game," said Colts' area scout Tyler Hughes via the Indy Star. "He's shown enough on tape, as far as a receiver, where he can make guys miss in the open field and run some routes and catch the ball reliably."
Both Hughes and Chris Ballard have acknowledged that Giddens does have to improve in pass protection--which they believe he will do--but that is going to be a prerequisite when it comes to getting more opportunities on the field in those obvious passing situations.
Taylor, of course, is going to continue to get a heavy workload, and I don't think anyone expects the running back in this offense, regardless of who it is, to become a go-to target through the air. But if Giddens can help provide a more steady presence in this phase of the game, that's a new wrinkle in this Colts' offense for the 2025 season.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Anthony Richardson injury news should worry Colts, according to NFL insider
Anthony Richardson injury news should worry Colts, according to NFL insider

Indianapolis Star

timean hour ago

  • Indianapolis Star

Anthony Richardson injury news should worry Colts, according to NFL insider

The signs are bad for Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, according to Sports Illustrated NFL insider Albert Breer. The Colts shut down Richardson on the second day of last week's minicamp with soreness in the shoulder that he had surgically repaired in his rookie season of 2023. The original injury occurred when he was tackled on a run against the Tennessee Titans. The team has said the current issue isn't from any hit but "stress over time." Richardson is expected to be examined by the doctor who performed the surgery two years ago. "When you're talking about the soreness coming back in the shoulder and, no, hasn't had surgery yet, but he's going to have more opinions on it. It just gets you worried. I would take that very seriously," Breer said Monday on the "Rich Eisen Show." "When it's a repeat, that's when it's like, 'Oh, boy.'" Team in transition: Colts announce Jim Irsay's daughters will assume ownership of the team The Colts signed veteran Daniel Jones in free agency on a one-year deal. "There's a really good chance Daniel Jones is going to be the starting quarterback for the Colts in Week 1, and Anthony Richardson faces a lot of uncertainty going forward," Breer said.

Rivals Camp Series: The five best RBs of the 2025 regionals
Rivals Camp Series: The five best RBs of the 2025 regionals

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Rivals Camp Series: The five best RBs of the 2025 regionals

The regional stops of the Rivals Camp Series is in the books with the Rivals Five-Star at the Indianapolis Colts' practice facility coming up later this month. Today, we continue our look at the best players at each position through the regional events with the running backs. Advertisement BEST OF RCS: The five best QBs of the 2025 Rivals Camp Series regionals CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Rivals Five-Star heading back to Indy | Rivals Five-Star roster | Schedule/info CALEB BEY - Los Angeles Bey was a Gold Ball winner at RCS Los Angeles. The Sacramento State commit did a nice job of catching the ball out of the backfield. His shiftiness created real mismatch problems for linebackers. Advertisement Despite being committed to the Hornets since March, the California native is still hearing from programs including UCLA. ANDREW BEARD - Atlanta Beard upped his stock after earning MVP honors at the Rivals Camp Series in Atlanta. He was exceptional catching the football out of the backfield and was routing up opposing linebackers, who struggled to keep pace with speed and quick cuts. The four-star prospect is a three-down playmaker and proved as much in the camp setting. He's hearing from Georgia, Penn State and Georgia Tech most right now in his recruitment. SEAN MORRIS - Los Angeles Morris did a great job throughout the entire camp whether it was during position drills, running back/linebacker blocking drills when he showed off an excellent physical nature and then during one-on-ones when he got open and created space against linebackers. Advertisement Camps are not the easiest setting for running backs but Morris showed off all his tools. He displayed quick feet, physical toughness with his blocking and the ability to catch the ball coming out of the backfield. Northwestern may have gotten a steal with him out of California. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH NORTHWESTERN FANS AT VICTOR SANTINO - Los Angeles Santino is a player that has been coming to Rivals Camp Series events since his freshman year. The 2026 running back is muscled up, looks great on the hoof and runs with determination and smoothness at the same time. It looks like he's gliding through the drills. Advertisement It's easy to see why Cal is thrilled to have landed his commitment in June. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH CAL FANS AT LATHAN WHISENTON - Dallas Whisenton was a force at the running back position. The first thing that comes to mind when remembering his performance was his run blocking ability in drills. But he also more than held his own catching passes out of the backfield. Whisenton is built to run between the tackles and boasts speed to separate from defenders in coverage and soft hands on the receiving end. He's a 2027 back with the arrow pointing up early on. That's why Texas and Ole Miss are his two latest offers.

Pat McAfee on Aaron Rodgers signing: 'Steelers are dancing in the playoffs yet again'
Pat McAfee on Aaron Rodgers signing: 'Steelers are dancing in the playoffs yet again'

USA Today

time5 hours ago

  • USA Today

Pat McAfee on Aaron Rodgers signing: 'Steelers are dancing in the playoffs yet again'

Pat McAfee on Aaron Rodgers signing: 'Steelers are dancing in the playoffs yet again' Pat McAfee is a man of many hats — but as a fellow Yinzer and close friend of Aaron Rodgers — he can barely contain his excitement for the 2025 season. On the latest episode of The Pat McAfee Show, the former Colts punter and Pennsylvania native was in full support of the Rodgers-led Steelers: "We're a team that can contend. We were above .500 — absolute crap on the offensive side of the ball. If Aaron [Rodgers] can come in here, matriculate the ball down the field and eat up some clock — make smart choices and not have any turnovers — the Pittsburgh Steelers are dancing in the playoffs yet again," McAfee stated with confidence. "And once they get into the playoffs, who knows? Especially with how good their defense is." If McAfee's charismatic Steelers 2025 sales pitch can translate into reality, it's safe to say the NFL world will have no choice but to give Rodgers the respect he deserves. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store